Brighter Spring settings

 At last, some welcome blue skies after a long, grey winter. It is so needed & suddenly everything is in bloom & the bright new leaves are dotted on the tree branches. 

I had a little change around in the conservatory & since it spans several occasions (Mothering Sunday, my birthday, Easter,  Spring) I have a little of what I fancy on the sideboard in the conservatory. 

Nothing at all is new, just old favourites appearing again, to be used & enjoyed. 

They are mostly gifts & things I have bought on my travels across the world - ceramics from Africa, cloth from India,  Moroccan glass, high street & pottery studios. That is how it should be. 

The pale pink table cloth was a bolt of fabric I hemmed, as I often do because the table extends. The colourful runner was a gift years ago & it ties the colours together. 

I bought the colourful platter at TKMaxx about 20 years ago & it is so cheerful for summer dining - piled high with nibbles, bread, cakes or anything else to share. 

I prefer casual dining where you can catch up with people over lighter foods to share, even if the food is ready made. 

Such was a shared family meal on the weekend - welcome colour & company. 

I hope Spring has sprung for most of you, and autumn is colourful for the southern hemisphere visitors. 

Thank you for stopping by, it is always appreciated. 

Dee 💐🌸🪴🥗. 

The auricula theatre update

 Making an auricula theatre was a lockdown project  in 2020 when everything was shut down. 

We used reclaimed / gifted wood to construct it & paint that we already had because everything was shut down so the size was determined by the wood we had. 

The backing board was troublesome because it allowed wind gusts behind it & it came crashing down several times, with lots of plant & terracotta pots shattered. It was removed & the theatre was a lot more stable then. 

However, after a long grey winter, the plants were ready for a tidy up in the sunshine today. New soil added, some crushed eggshells too & a dressing of sharp sand.  It looks much fresher already. 

Some plants are in flower, their neat labels long gone in the two theatre crashes but they are joyful with their tiny flowers against the brick wall. 

I will wait & see how the non flowering ones do before replacing some late summer. 

It was a good project & the theatre is an interesting feature on the patio we use the most. 

Who has grown them & what tips do you have? 

Thanks for stopping by , it is always appreciated. 

Dee 💐🪴🪻

Spring sunshine & colourful bulbs

 I am always keen to enjoy colourful spring bulbs after a long, grey winter. Our grass verges & hedgerows burst in to bloom & it is an absolute delight to have a 'host of golden daffodils' (to quote the poet Wordsworth) 

We popped by The National Sports Centre at Lilleshall - it is the home of archery in the UK & several Olympic sports were held there when we hosted the games.  

This entrance is very dramatic with the gate tower & the two large lions. 

I have attended some evening black tie events there too, it is an elegant setting in beautiful grounds, generous patios & immaculate gardens. 

                    

The entrance lions are not the only ones there, these were probably the original ones that now occupy the space under the terrace in the zoo like setting with a great view over the formal gardens... 

                      

There is a dramatic row of ancient trees nearby, if they could only talk ... 

The fountains were not on but the garden was laid out with the most gorgeous hyacinths in bloom. The terrace had several huge planters filled with  the most fragrant hyacinths in beautiful pinks & purples with a pop of other plants, so lovely to see it replicated across the various spaces of the gardens. 

Open spaces & greenery is perfect in spring sunshine, accentuated with bright pops of colour. It is the little things that matter ... 

Thank you for stopping by & visiting with me, 

Dee 💐🌸🌺🪻

The importance of Mothering Sunday ...

 The UK is almost unique in that it celebrates Mothering Sunday in March, unlike Mothers Day across other countries when it is in May. Why is this? 

It is tied to LENT & traditionally falls on Laetare Sunday. the 4th Sunday of Lent, half way through it where Lent promises were not followed on a Sunday. The date of Mothering Sunday, like Easter,  is not set, it depends on the lunar calendar. 

Mothering Sunday has religious roots. In the Middle Ages, Mothering Sunday was a day dedicated to the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother Mary. People were required to visit their main church where family members had been baptised, a return to their roots. 

In times past, children as young as 10 were often in service - working in large houses as housemaids, kitchen maids, stable hands, servants or tending the farms & gardens. They would live away from their families for long periods of time so Mothering Sunday was a unique opportunity to return home, meet up with their family, attend church together & spend precious time away from work. 

Flowers were often picked on the way to church as a gift for their Mother, or a small homemade gift was made to be given in appreciation. The tradition of giving flowers remains to this day with fresh of potted flowers sent or given as a gift. Because it is Spring, daffodils & other early woodland blooms have become synonymous with Mothering Sunday. 

Laetare Sunday is exactly 21 days before Easter Sunday so Mothering Sunday is tied to the religious observations of Christianity, even if it has (like Christmas & Easter) become more commercialised. 

However you observe it, I hope it is a peaceful Mothering Sunday. 

Thank you for stopping by, your visits are always welcome,

Dee 🪻🌸🌺🌷💐⛪️🔔

Gold work embroidery

 I love courses & learning new things - the educator in me believes in life long learning. 

When I saw a Goldwork Landscapes course at our county museum I signed up immediately, glad it was when I could fit it in. To be honest, I would have probably shuffled things around to fit it in. 

 I admit that goldwork is not something I have much knowledge of as a form of embroidery & yet I always admire the intricate gold embroidery work on garments & decorative items. 

The details said - everything included - which meant there was no planning or buying things that may or may not be applicable. My friend Ellie signed up too; it has been over a decade since we did a Gentlework course together, again in our county town, &  more recently we did a felting course together. It is a good way to share experiences. 

The course details for the goldwork was vague saying landscape goldwork with this description 

Goldwork couching is a beautiful needlework technique, steeped in history. This workshop will introduce this ancient craft, once known as “Opus Anglicanum” or “Work of the English” into our local landscape. Combining the playful intersection of lines within a map and the slow-stitch approach to embroidery, to produce a unique and individual artwork.

However, with all materials provided there is no preparation with was good because I didn't really know what was required.  Our places were ready with an embroidery hoop, some needles in a felt fabric, tracing paper & the background sheet on goldwork. 

After an introduction & some background, we selected maps from the good selection & had to find something to trace. The suggesting was the main lines & how they intersected each other as that would give opportunities to use the lines in different ways. 

I selected a Shropshire bit that I had a family connection to but with hindsight, I should have selected something with a river etc for contrast. I might just add one anyhow as it does not have to be correct.

We selected a background fabric for our embroidered piece, hooped it ready for the tracing stage. 

      

After tracing the lines we wanted on the tracing paper, holes were pricked in the tracing paper with a toothpick then pouncing powder & a pad was brushed over in circular motions for the powder to come through the holes & give an outline.  This had mixed results for some of us, but enough to pencil in the lines anyhow. 

However, the technique was to couch gold, silver or bronze threads on our lines or use with the large selection of embroidery thread. 

I wanted to get an understanding of how the threads worked when manipulated, bent or couched over each other so loosely following the map part I had selected, I used single or double over threads to follow the lines. 

Couching is an easy technique which lays threads on top of the fabric & soon everyone settled in to a comfortable rhythm of chatting & stitching, with regular trips to the table to get threads etc. 

Time passed really quickly with tea & a short lunch break & soon it was time to wrap it all up. 

A really interesting few hours because we all started with the same items on the table (map, threads, hoop etc) and each one was unique in the details & interpretation. That is the fascinating part of these workshops for me - how individual it all is. That is my experience with all the courses I attend ... 

I had researched goldwork online & I will order in some of the threads & try another one in my own time, especially as I have a better understanding of the technique. Goldwork is a specialist technique & there is a lot to learn to become proficient, but  this introduction has been interesting & unusual, just how life long learning should be. 

We had time for some shopping in our buzzing county town where several events were on & the sunshine brought people out in their droves. Wonderful seeing it all busy & vibrant. Our county town is not short of beautiful buildings or spires from the many churches. How lovely they looked in the spring sunshine. 

     

I hope you have enjoyed this post, thank you for stopping by, it is always appreciated. 

Dee 

Making some fabric baskets

 I had a lovely sewing day with a friend in South Shropshire last week & we made a sewing basket & some other bits. It is inspirational to bounce ideas off other creative people, especially as she is commercially minded.

 How lovely is my gifted pocket mirror? 

I helped by passing the scissors .. 

I love my fabric basket we made together. It has been some months since I did fabric basket & this refreshed my technique which was helpful. 

I decided that I wanted to make another one while it is fresh in my mind. I looked through my fabric stash & found some pieces of this blue Frieda fabric so I decided to do what I did with the red Frieda fabric previously. I joined the blue fabric in to a strip, adding in some matching plain blue fabric to make up the shape for use. 

I decided to make this one more rectangular with something in mind. It was lined, turned through & pressed. Since this is entirely for my own use, I did a decorative machine stitch around the top where it will be turned over. 

These two fabric bowls are going next to my sewing machines - one for the orts (all the snipped threads from hand & machine sewing) and the larger one for all the snipped fabric bits which will keep the sewing table neater. Orts

A great sewing project using up bits of fabric from my stash for much needed items. 

Is there anything on your sewing table? Tell all & thank you for stopping by, it is always appreciated, 

Dee 📍🪡🧵

Pure & beautiful snowdrops ...

In the midst of the frosty & cold winter, suddenly, the snowdrops poke their pretty heads out & it feels like Spring is on the way. 

No snow to go with them at the moment, but their translucent blooms really are a joy in woodlands & especially in church yards where they often appear en masse. 

The Shropshire church of St James in Shipton always has a magnificent display of thousands of snowdrops & yellow aconites. The solid stone church with its square tower is the perfect backdrop to the delicateness of the tiny snowdrops that are at about 15-25cm tall. 

The church is 11th century and it is a grade 2 listed building so it is always an interesting visit. 

HISTORY: Shipton church is first mentioned c1110, and was probably a small 2-celled church until the tower was added at some time in the medieval period, and which contained 3 bells by 1552. The chancel was described as a 'great ruin' in 1553 and was replaced and rebuilt at the expense of John Lutwyche of Shipton Hall in 1589, as recorded on a brass memorial plaque in the chancel. The new chancel was probably built on the ruins of the old, with openings in the same position. The south porch appears to have been part of the same works. The exterior walls were rendered by 1789. The C18 gallery and C17 pews were removed in 1905-6 when a major re-ordering took place, at which time the walls were stripped of plaster and the present pews were installed.

On a fresh day of just 2C, we made the trip to see them. Brighter skies after several grey days is perfect to set them off against. 

The weathered headstones again providing the contrast that is needed to photograph them against. 

  

The church contains a memorial to the four More children who did the perilous trip on the Mayflower to America. Their story is in a previous blog post - do read it.  

The beloved British poet William Wordsworth's Daffodil poem - I wandered lonely as a cloud - is well known but he also paid tribute to the pretty snowdrop being the harbinger of Spring ... 

How can you not be charmed by the purity of snowdrops on a frosty day? 

The creamy white against the green foliage is a delight, a promise of new life emerging ... 

It is always a delight to see masses of snowdrops, Spring & blue skies might be on the way, 

Dee 

Roast carrot, parsnip & orzo soup

 Our winter has been cold & this week the temperatures have barely made it to 3c. It is definitely comfort food weather & soups are always on the menu. 

I love roast root vegetables - carrots, parsnips, butternut, onions, sweet potatoes, swedes etc. Roasting the vegetables really caramelises the flavours & a large tray of roasted vegetables lasts at least 2 meals then the remains are made in to a thick & nourishing soup. It takes a few minutes to boil it up in some additional vegetable stock, season, blend & serve with homemade croutons or bubbly cheese toasties.  

I had roasted carrots & parsnips from supper, & coming back in after visiting some snowdrops, we needed something hot & nourishing. 

After boiling, blitzing & seasoning I decided to add some orzo to it to give it substance without the bread. 

I poured some in, stirred it & added a bit more water then gave it regular stirs for about 10 minutes until the orzo was al dente. Seasoned with black pepper & served. 

What a hearty soup, a little goes a long way & perfect for a winters day. 

What is your favourite soup? Inspire me please. Thank you for stopping by, it is always appreciated. 

Dee 🥣🥫☃️❄️🥶

Some LOVEly hearts ...

The shops are once again filled with all things Valentine - it has become, or perhaps it always was, a huge commercial thing. 

Some previous posts about Valentine's day 

What is love? 

A funny little thing called love

Roses on Valentines day

True love is not just one day 

I heart Valentines day 

The love we don't always see 

Love is what you do 

Tiny needle heart books 

I had previously made some of these little heart needle cases for friends & they were so cute & useful too. 

This year I wonder if I should make some hearts, similar to these Scandinavian ones I made previously? 

Perhaps some new drawer knob hangers for the conservatory? 

The conservatory sideboard has had the gentle colours of the pink countryside china since Christmas, along with the understated creamware of the Spode Chelsea wicker pattern. 

I added my well used Rosenthal  heart candle holder & two pink heart shaped bowls. that is enough I think ... 

I decided to do some hangers for the drawer knobs, I first did two rectangular ones but the middle drawer looked lost so I did a quick heart shaped one for there so the 3 drawers look good together. 

I used the same map fabric & ribbon. That will be my nod to Valentine’s Day I think - maps, stamps & travel. 

What is not to love. 

However you observe Valentine's day, enjoy it & remember, true love is the little things you do consistently for those you love.  Love is often unseen, it is felt in the things people do for you & you for them. Thank you for stopping by, your visits are always appreciated. 

Dee 🩷💕❤️🧡💛💚

Making new drawer hangers

 I had every intention of making a heart shaped hanger for Valentine’s Day for the sideboard. 

However, when I pulled out some fabric, my eye fell on a map remnant I had & that changed the direction of my sewing. I have always loved maps & this fabric reflects that love of travel. 

I decided to use the part map of Southern Africa & the Indian Ocean as the fronts for the hanger. I backed the fronts with a thin batting & machine stitched along the lines, pinned ribbon in place for the hangers. 

After pinning the front & back right sides together they were machine stitched leaving an opening at the bottom of each to turn through. The corners were pushed out gently to neaten them. This vintage wooden tool is great for turning corners & is much used. 

 They were lightly stuffed then the edges machined all around, closing that opening.  

All finished & ready for the door knobs on the conservatory sideboard. 

Are you busy with anything at the moment. Tell all, thank you for visiting

Dee 🪡🧵📍🧭

Learning to stitch portraits ...

 

I love to take advantage of online courses & recently joined a 5 day stitch club portrait workshop. 

I have long admired stitched portraits but always find facial features to be difficult so I was keen to follow along & learn the techniques needed to produce something vaguely recognisable. 

A choice of threads - which skin tones are needed?  I kept the colours I selected together because I knew I would return to do her portrait & wanted a continuity across the two. I used some silk threads too for his hair which gave a softness to it. All the outlines is in a single strand of thread only. 

We had to choose a photo that was about 6x8 inch large & I looked around & then my eye fell on to the one of the great grandparents. I had taken a photo of the framed image that hangs on my wall (the 4th generation to have it) and they seemed like the best option. 

I assumed that I know them because I have seen them daily for most of my life but looking carefully at the photo really gave me insight in to details like the colour of their eyes, their clothes, his watch chain & waistcoat, her brooch on her dress ... 

The technique is basically to trace an outline of the image - I scanned the photo for ease, then trace it on to paper or directly on to the fabrics.  A few months ago, I bought a flat bed light box cheaply off ebay - it uses a usb power supply & while it is not the most powerful light, it is adequate. 

I split the image in to the head / face / neck as one shape in neutral calico, then traced their clothing on to the fabric taking inspiration from the photo. 

I did Bernard as my workshop portrait but was conscious that they are very much a pair ... 

I was nervous about how to do the features but the sketchy stitch approach worked really well & I completed his outline in one afternoon alongside the workshop to my great surprise. It is done in single strand embroidery thread which gives it a lighter feel.  I am thrilled with his portrait. The rest of the week was adding in shading in various colours to reflect light & shadows & then finally working on the details on his clothing. I am surprised at the likeness & have been hesitant to do Catherina because I was not confident I would do her justice. 

I find this embroidery stand to be very useful for projects like this because the photo is right in front of you while you work.

However, after almost a month, I traced her on to fabrics using a lightbox, cut out the head & neck & positioned it alongside him. I decided to give her a lacey top as a nod to her Dutch origins. From my painting, it appears that her eyes are a hazel colour (his was blue) so I added that. Her one eyebrow is slightly raised in a quizzical gesture that is very becoming. 

Looking at the pair of them, I think I have somehow managed to sew a slightly younger version of them - about a decade younger than their portrait & that is interesting because it would have been young love. He was a fairly recent German arrival,  she was Dutch;  I loved this combination of heritage in a beloved maternal grandfather. Looking at his parents so closely has somehow connected me more deeply to them & it has been a very interesting new technique. 

   

I still have to finish the details on her, the fading light is not good for the fine details with single strand embroidery thread so I will come back to her. I kept the threads I used for the first portrait handy which means the two portraits will sit well together. I still need to add in more shading on her hair & face but I am pleased with her … 

The next step is to gently blow hot air from the hairdrier over the portrait to remove the heat pen used to trace in the details. These Frixion pens are brilliant as the marks are gone very quickly with just heat. Without the outline marks, it is now easier to see where the shading needs to be. It is a work in progress ... 

Do you challenge your skills & learn new ones along the way? Tell all .... 

Thank you for stopping by, for sharing or leaving a comment, it is always appreciated. 

Dee